The Easiest Fudgy Bisquick Chocolate Brownie Cookies: A Perfect Holiday Recipe

Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly easy and utterly fudgy chocolate brownie cookies, a must-have addition to your holiday cookie trays. What makes them stand out? We leverage the secret power of Bisquick pancake mix for an unbelievably soft texture, combined with a boxed brownie mix to ensure that rich, deep, fudgy flavor everyone craves. The result is a delightful cookie that delivers on both softness and intense chocolate goodness, all without requiring hours of work in the kitchen.

If you’re searching for that ultimate fudgy, chewy, and irresistibly chocolatey cookie experience, then you’ve come to the right place. These cookies are so good, they might just make you question your existence if you don’t love them! Today, I’m thrilled to share a cherished family recipe for soft, chewy chocolate brownie cookies that uses an unexpected ingredient – Bisquick. This unique twist ensures they earn a coveted spot on our DIY Cookie Trays every single year, much to the delight of family and friends.

You might be wondering, “Bisquick? In cookies? That’s unusual!” And you’d be right to think so! The legend goes that these distinctive cookies were born from a happy accident many years ago. A family member, in a moment of delightful distraction, mistakenly grabbed Bisquick instead of regular flour while whipping up a batch of brownie cookies. The outcome? A wonderfully soft and moist cookie that still retained all the signature fudgy characteristics of a classic brownie. This accidental innovation quickly became a staple, proving that sometimes the best recipes are discovered by chance!

These fudgy Bisquick brownie cookies offer the perfect balance of a rich, intense chocolate flavor with a delightfully soft and chewy texture. They’re crowned with a beautiful crackled top, dusted generously with powdered sugar, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious. Ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or simply a cozy night in, this recipe simplifies baking without compromising on taste or quality. Prepare to impress everyone with these remarkably easy and utterly addictive chocolate cookies!

Simple Ingredients for Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity, relying on common pantry staples to create something extraordinary. The key players are a good quality boxed brownie mix and, of course, Bisquick pancake mix. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Boxed Brownie Mix: We recommend an 18.3 oz box. While many brands will work, Betty Crocker is our top choice for achieving that perfect thick and chewy cookie consistency. Using a pre-made mix significantly cuts down on prep time and ensures consistent flavor.
• Bisquick Pancake & Baking Mix: The secret ingredient for unparalleled softness! Bisquick adds a unique tenderness and helps create the perfect texture that sets these cookies apart from traditional brownie cookies.
• Butter: Softened butter contributes to the rich flavor and helps bind the dough, ensuring a moist and tender crumb.
• Eggs: Essential for structure and moisture, eggs help create that desirable fudgy texture.
• Water: Just a touch of water helps to bring the thick dough together to the right consistency.
• Powdered Sugar for Rolling: This isn’t just for decoration! Rolling the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking creates the signature crackled top and adds a delightful sweetness that balances the rich chocolate.

Notice what’s missing? No extra oil or cocoa powder! All the richness and chocolate flavor come directly from the brownie mix itself, making this a truly streamlined recipe. This minimalist approach allows the fudgy brownie flavor and soft Bisquick texture to truly shine.

How to Make These Easy Chocolate Brownie Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

These chewy chocolate brownie cookies are incredibly simple to prepare, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these easy steps to create a batch of delightful crackle-top cookies that will disappear fast!

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients – Brownie Mix & Bisquick

Start by combining the stars of our show: the boxed brownie mix and the Bisquick. In a large mixing bowl, simply use a whisk or a spoon to gently blend these two dry ingredients together until they are well combined. This initial step ensures an even distribution of the Bisquick, which is crucial for achieving the perfect soft texture throughout your cookies.

Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients & Mix Until Thick

Once your dry ingredients are mixed, it’s time to introduce the wet components. Add the softened butter, eggs, and water to the bowl. Now, mix everything together for about one minute, or until all the dry powder has completely disappeared and a cohesive dough forms. You’ll notice the mixture will be quite thick – this is perfectly normal and exactly what you want for a fudgy cookie! While you can attempt to mix by hand, we highly recommend using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a robust hand mixer. The dough’s density makes mechanical assistance a real arm-saver. After mixing, scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.

Step 3: Chill the Dough for Optimal Texture

This step is a game-changer for your cookie’s final appearance and texture! Place the covered dough in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least one hour. While chilling isn’t strictly mandatory if you’re in a hurry, skipping this step will likely result in flatter cookies that spread too much during baking. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which prevents excessive spreading and helps the cookies maintain their thickness, resulting in that desirable soft and chewy interior.

Step 4: Scoop Dough & Roll in Powdered Sugar for Crackle Tops

Once your dough is thoroughly chilled, it’s time to shape your cookies. Scoop and roll the dough into one-inch sized balls. For consistency and ease, I find a one-tablespoon sized cookie scoop to be ideal. Since the dough is still quite thick, spraying your scoop with non-stick cooking spray can help prevent sticking and make the process smoother. Next, pour a generous amount of powdered sugar into a separate bowl (a cereal bowl works perfectly). Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar until it’s completely coated. This white coating is key to creating the beautiful crackled tops these cookies are famous for! Place the coated balls onto a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for a short period of 8-9 minutes. This is a critical step: even if your cookies don’t look entirely “done” at the 9-minute mark, take them out of the oven! Overbaking is the enemy of a fudgy, chewy cookie and will result in hard, crunchy cookies. Trust the process; the cookies will continue to cook and set on the hot baking sheet after they are removed from the oven, reaching that perfect fudgy consistency as they cool.

You may have encountered similar powdered sugar-dusted chocolate cookies, especially during the festive holiday season. However, I assure you, this recipe is uniquely different. Many of those recipes often incorporate crunchy additions like nuts, shredded coconut, or other mix-ins. While I know many people adore these textural elements, I’ve found that they aren’t always the most kid-friendly. In my family, the mere mention of nuts or coconut in a baked good can send my siblings fleeing from the kitchen!

And I must confess, I share a similar sentiment. I’m not a huge fan of nuts or coconut making an appearance in my sweet treats. So, with this particular recipe, you are guaranteed nothing but a pure, unadulterated experience of a soft, thick, and profoundly fudgy brownie cookie. The generous dusting of powdered sugar on top provides a perfect counterpoint, balancing out the deep, rich chocolate flavor of the brownie base with a delicate sweetness. It truly is the best of both worlds – the intense chocolate of a brownie with the delightful chew of a cookie, all without any distracting extras. It’s like indulging in a warm, fudgy brownie, but in a convenient, handheld cookie form. In my book, anything associated with brownies is an instant winner, and these cookies are no exception!

What makes these Bisquick chocolate brownie cookies even more appealing is how incredibly easy they are to prepare. Thanks to the leavening agents already present in both the brownie mix and the Bisquick, you only need to add a few simple ingredients to bring these amazing cookies to life. This means less measuring, less fuss, and more time to enjoy the delicious results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is designed for success, yielding consistently soft, fudgy, and flavorful cookies every time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bisquick Brownie Cookies:

Can you freeze these chocolate brownie cookies?

Absolutely, these delicious fudgy chocolate brownie cookies freeze exceptionally well! You can store them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. When freezing, just be mindful that if you stack them directly, the powdered sugar coating might get a little smudged. To preserve their pristine crackled top, consider freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a container with parchment paper between layers. This small step helps maintain their beautiful appearance when thawed.

What size brownie mix do you need for this recipe?

For this recipe, I typically use an 18.3 oz box of dry brownie mix. However, I’ve also successfully made these cookies using a 19.5 oz size, and both batches turned out equally fantastic! Generally, any boxed brownie mix between 17 oz and 20 oz will work perfectly for this recipe. The only type I’d recommend avoiding are the smaller, often thinner mixes that come in pouches, as they might not provide the same rich density or yield. Stick to the standard boxed varieties for the best results and fudgy texture.

What brand of brownie mix do I recommend for the best fudgy cookies?

Through extensive testing with various brands, I’ve consistently found that Betty Crocker brownie mix yields the absolute best results for these cookies. Their mix consistently produces a thicker, chewier cookie with that desirable rich fudgy center. I’ve experimented with more budget-friendly brands (like some generic store brands), and while they still produce edible cookies, they tend to be noticeably flatter and lose some of that signature fudgy thickness that makes these cookies so special. For a truly superior Bisquick brownie cookie, Betty Crocker is my go-to recommendation.

Any creative ideas for gifting these holiday cookies?

Absolutely! These fudgy chocolate brownie cookies make wonderful gifts, especially during the holiday season. They are perfect for adding to DIY Cookie Trays alongside other festive treats. You can arrange them artfully on a tray and include a cute, printable holiday card with the recipe name. For individual gifting, stack a few cookies in small plastic treat bags, tie them with a festive ribbon, and perhaps add a personalized tag. Their beautiful crackle tops and delicious flavor make them an impressive yet effortless homemade gift that everyone will appreciate!

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these easy, fudgy Bisquick chocolate brownie cookies as much as my family does. They truly are a delightful combination of convenience and indulgence, perfect for bringing a smile to anyone’s face. Happy baking!